Statewide Caucuses Held March 18 And 20; Dems Urge Involvement

Political party officials are encouraging public participation in this year's elections. In Utah, state party officials are preparing for next week’s caucus meetings. Both Democrat and Republican caucuses will be held next week, Democrats on Tuesday and Republicans on Thursday, March 18 and 20.

Utah residents planning to run for a state office can begin filing this Friday for Utah Attorney General, and several house and senate seats. Anna Thompson is with the Utah Democratic Party out of Salt Lake, and said her party will do better this year.

"We're looking forward to the Attorney's General race and in the state legislature, there are races across the state that were lost in the Romney year by fewer than 700 votes. There are a handful of those, and we're going to get those seats," Thompson said.

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Vince Wickwar is the Cache County Democratic chair, and he said his party is looking for individuals to run for office in legislative districts three, four and five against incumbents Jack Draxler, Ed Redd, and Curt Webb.

"It's a good way to start getting involved in state politics, it's the basic level for that and is really close to the constituency."

The race for the U.S. first and second congressional districts happen this year. Republican First district congressman Rob Bishop is running for re-election to represent several different counties, including Cache, Box Elder, Morgan, Weber, Summitt, and Uintah Counties.

There are two democrats hoping to prevail at the upcoming state party convention, Donna McAleer of Park City- her second time running- and newcomer Peter Clemens of Ogden. Thompson says both of the democratic candidates are hoping to get the majority of votes during the convention to keep from having to run a primary election.

"There's a cost argument on one side, and on the other side as well there's the argument that it does kind of force you to mobilize earlier and get your supporters in line earlier and get your campaign organization in place earlier which is certainly helpful when you're taking on someone who's been in office as long as Rob Bishop," Thompson said.